SETTING FORTH.
Trapped in her own thoughts, Elena barely heard the mutter of her fellow classmates and the dictating of her teacher. The one sound she could hear, however, was the sound of her own heartbeat when her thoughts turned to Damon. Her sweet, sweet Damon who had flown to Paris to be with her and profess his love for her. Being able to return to reality, Elena felt happiness build up in her. The pleasant foreign language filled her ears with overwhelming music and the lecture of history was wonderful as well. Elena worried about Damon and about him being able to find a proper job here in Paris and she knew that if he didn't she would feel the guilt for it. Hearing people wonder about her, from behind her, Elena only smiled because she had not yet settled in, but everyone seemed so nice, she wasn't even worried about making good and loyal friends. Outside the window was a beautiful maple tree and as it danced with the autumn wind and shed it's red and fiery leaves, Elena was inspired for an afternoon with Damon. At the same time she felt someone give her a stare, almost a flirt, and when Elena turned her head, she found herself being examined carefully by a young, blonde man. They looked each other straight in the eye and immediately Elena felt that he was a trouble maker. Just as he was about to say something to her, the teacher called out his name, Klaus, and he was obliged to respond to a question he didn't know the answer for. Elena being the nearly perfect history student that she was, whispered the answer to him, which in this case was The Duke of Wellington and Klaus didn't waste a minute to use her answer and when it was deemed correct turned to Elena and whispered a soft and seductive Thank You.
Upon exiting the classroom Elena felt someone grasp her arm and pull her back, only to find that she was now walking side by side with this man. His sleazy smile made her stomach turn, because it was as if he knew a dirty secret of hers. Arm still clinging to Elena he looked her over more carefully and in a perfectly clear British accent wondered;
"American and new?" Elena looked at him and nodded. He was making her quite uncomfortable but at the same time it was lovely to meet someone British, "I thought so. I would have noticed such a lovely face in our class before," Elena blushed without reason, because she was clearly responding to his flirt, but felt bad, knowing that she had already promised herself to someone, that someone being Damon. With a dark laugh, Klaus stopped them in the corridor and inclining towards her whispered; "We should get to know each other better, I think. I find you very charming and you have made it quite clear that you do as well," At this point Elena could not believe his insolence and with a quiet I have to go, she left Klaus standing in the corridor dumbfounded.
The wind was threatening the couple with all its might using its dreadful force to prove its point but rather than to become a nuisance to their perfect Paris date it set the tone to a refreshing fall day. Elena met Damon by Le Fumoir and looked incredibly beautiful from Damon's point of view with her hair blowing swiftly through the wind and her delicate hands brushing it back from her brown, dark eyes. The girl was still an absolute mystery to him but Damon was sure that he seemed like an open book to her now that he was unable to keep his mouth shut about his past. They walked hand in hand stopping to take wonderfully silly pictures with each other and pose with famous Paris backgrounds to back them up. As the day grew shorter Elena pondered with slight frustration why she had to go to school. School had its good and bad sides because it was both a way to be apart from Damon and have her personal space but also it was a nuisance being apart from Damon for that time of the day and not being able to enjoy Paris in the morning with him. Elena then remembered what she had really wanted to do and she took Damon by the hand and almost dragged him to the park she had been at with her parents and most importantly the park she adored. They walked beneath the colourful trees and gazed at the beauty that was fall. Damon and Elena both shared the sentiment and they also agreed upon the fact that fall really was the most beautiful season of all. Finding a quiet place to settle down Damon looked Elena in the eye and admiring her perplexed expression caressed her cheek and spoke softly;
"It seems like we have known each other forever, doesn't it?" And at these words soft raindrops began to fall upon their heads, the sun still remaining bright and high in the sky. Refreshed by this sudden drizzle they moved on to a café, whose name Elena forgot to note. They had a superb meal with a surprisingly delicious desert – chocolate crème a la maison with strawberries. The chocolate swirling and melting in their mouths, Damon looked at Elena smiling to herself and leaned in to kiss her. They both tasted like chocolate and the feeling ran through his entire body. What he felt when he was around her was indescribable in the best way possible. Elena made him crazy and he had no idea how a person could be so perfect, so flawless. His eyes ran over her face, the face that was now giving him the most beautiful and honest smile. Elena's lips pressed to his, softly at first, but then clung to them in a fiery kiss and Damon took hold of her by her waist, still sitting the white wood café seats that they had settled in before. To Paris this sight was not unusual, for everyone here was with someone and people admired others who appeared to be like them and were lost in their love. As they opened their eyes, Damon and Elena saw people look happily at them and then turn to their own existential halves.
The dark sky was now overtaking the radiating sunlight and the cotton candy coloured clouds and as Damon escorted Elena to his hotel, they both thought to themselves that the sky does represent them together. Merging the light and the dark and when they got to Damon's room, which was decorated in a very French country chic style they were both full of philosophical questions. However, rather than to turn to serious themes, Damon simply took Elena's hand and kissed it which made her smile big and give him a flirtatious blush. Damon's other hand pulled Elena close to him, her stomach pressed tightly against his and being able to smell her perfume, Damon began to move slowly in a dance. Elena responded calmly and they moved slowly, clinging to each other, Elena's head resting on Damon's shoulder, listening to the soft jazzy music outside. What made them stop was Damon's sudden inquiry;
"Do you love me?" Elena moved her head from his shoulder and looked him straight in the eyes.
"I do, but you knew that, so why ask?"
"I'm afraid and I feel responsible," Elena inclined her head to one side, trying to understand Damon's words, "You see, I'm afraid that either a young man from your school will fall in love with you or you might fancy him, and I feel responsible because I know that I would be mad if that happened but I shouldn't because that's what you need in your life. Someone your age," Elena's mouth opened in disbelief, because of all people Damon could not be saying this to her, but then, Damon continued, "I love you, Elena. Nothing will ever change that," Elena did not want to put up a fight and she just gave him a kiss.
"I love you too and nothing will ever change that," Elena smiled and turned to leave but was stopped by a forceful hand.
"Don't go," Elena looked at him, "Please," She couldn't stay because that would leave the wrong impression on the boarding school and perhaps even make them worry, but she really wanted to stay with Damon and even spend her very waking minute with him.
As Damon held onto her Elena knew she didn't want him to let go and moved closer to him to give him a kiss. Damon followed Elena's motion and as her lips pressed against his he placed his hands on the small of her back and pulled her towards him with a strong pull. Pressed up against her Damon could feel her rapid heartbeat and it made him fall even more in love with her, even though that didn't appear to be possible. Her lips were soft and seemed so fresh and new and exciting that Damon couldn't get enough of them. There seemed to be incredible tension between them and as Elena pulled back her lips from Damon's he still tried to hold on to hers, trying to grasp them, but feeling Elena reaching backwards with her head stopped and looked at her. Her expression showed very clear and obvious worry, which was understandable considering that they had known each other only for a short while.
"I think that I must go," As much as Damon resented that idea, he knew it was her who needed to make the choice. Giving her a kiss on her forehead and embracing her tightly in his arms whilst smelling her strawberry scented hair he tried to show her his love. Elena responded and they stood for a while in each other's embrace. Then with one final kiss Elena left Damon. Standing in his empty Parisian hotel room Damon wondered longingly whether a future for them was possible, but then leaving these thoughts to rest he opened a bottle of whiskey he had bought earlier in the day and poured it into a large crystal glass. Indulging in his alcoholic beverage, Damon opened a book, The Master and Margarita, a book which he had read more than a few times and lost himself in the epic tale of the devil, the cat and the valet.
Elena rushed back to her school in a blazing hurry. Passing many infamous sights, which she had wanted to see at night, the only thought circulating in her mind was that of her awkward exit with Damon. As much as Elena had wanted to spend the night with him the thought of rushing things had overtaken her. When hurrying through a slightly crowded square Elena was brought to a standstill by a man standing in her way. The lantern light only reflected upon Elena's face so she was not able to identify the stranger until he took a step forward.
"It's lovely to see you too, Elena," Klaus smirked. The man talked liked he had known her for forever even though they had talked for the first time just this afternoon. He inclined his head and, gently with his hand brushed away a lock of hair from Elena's face which made her jump and cringe, but Klaus only snickered. He held a champagne bottle under his arm and after seeing Elena notice it he brought it forward, revealing it to be a bottle of Moët et Chandon.
"Oh, we could share it if you like. I was planning on drinking it alone, but I'd prefer to enjoy it with a beautiful girl at my side," Klaus smiled and hid the champagne under his arm once again, but now offered Elena his other arm. With a slight pout Klaus moved closer, "Come on. You're out past bedtime anyway, so why hurry back?"
"Not this time," Elena replied politely although she wanted to smack Klaus with that bottle for being so utterly charming and sleazy at the same time. With a gentle smile Elena walked off and continued her rush through the dark streets and once she reached her room, Elena was finally able to breathe again. Quickly changing into her silk pyjamas, Elena hid under the covers and thought about Damon and his wonderful kisses and his excellent manners. They had spent an absolutely spectacular day out and about in this romantic city and the more Elena thought about the more she wished their day wouldn't have ended in such a strange way. Elena knew that Damon's patience would run out at some point, but her fear of being left by him after something so intimate scared her so much that she was unable to give in. Elena closed her eyes and listened to the soft noise of trees outside of her window. A wind blew in and she covered herself with her duvet even more and positioning herself in a cocoon, Elena soon fell asleep.
"I thought you'd enjoy it," Damon spoke kindly and not a moment later, he felt Elena's hands around his neck and a soft kiss on his cheek. Elena smiled widely and covered her mouth with her hand, as to not scream out in absolute joy. Damon had bought them two tickets to the opera The Queen of Spades and this was an opera Elena had not yet seen and had spoken to Damon about when they were still in Mystic Falls. Not just because Elena wanted to see the opera, she was so excited, but also because the thought of going to the opera with Damon filled her heart with joy. It was an absolutely superb present which was given to her even though there was no occasion.
"Thank you! This was really thoughtful! I can't wait to go," Elena finally said, when regaining her ability to speak. The opera was set to be in two days and that was a Saturday. Elena sipped her green tea and looked lovingly at Damon, who looked back at her with the same appeal. There was not a word anyone could say now, at this very moment, which would make Elena unhappy. Since she had come to Paris, nothing but good things had happened. Never mind that, since she had met Damon nothing but good things had happened, except for the incident with Katerina, which Elena was willing to forget and had actually already done so.
Damon, however, was entirely on the other end of the spectrum. Without Elena knowing, the reason why he had bought the tickets was because he had felt like she was distant. Damon's heart filled with worry and jealousy every time she kissed him even a little bit more lightly than before or when she spoke of a boy in her class, or when she had refused to stay the night once again. Damon was unintentionally and without reason trying to win Elena back, and to his mind failing at it, but it was simply because she was already his. It was a self-destructive mission, but Damon could still be saved, if Elena knew about it.
Browsing through the countless racks at the Galeries Lafayette, Elena was struggling to find the perfect dress for the event. Not even sure about the colour she wanted, Elena looked hopelessly at the large amount of dresses she had not yet browsed. Elena decided to take a break and found herself in a small restaurant near the Galeries. It was beautifully sunny, so Elena sat outside and enjoyed a salmon filet with grilled vegetables and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Elena loved having her freedom here. Since her lessons ended just before the afternoon, she was free to do whatever she wanted. However there was a curfew, but since nobody respected it, Elena decided not to worry herself with such matters. It was a glorious Friday, because she had just received back an essay and she had received a 10 for it which was an encouraging start to her school year here in Paris. Elena was now simply lazing and trying to find a dress for the opera, knowing that Damon would look exceedingly handsome in a suit, she knew she had to look stunning as well.
After her meal, Elena felt like she had regained some energy and went into the store with a completely different attitude and a constructive view. Passing by a rack, she noticed a peach coloured gown. Elena went on, but then quickly turned back and looked at the dress properly. It was flowing and had a definitive waistline as well as rather thick straps but looked gorgeous. Elena tried it on and it fit perfectly, so she decided to buy it, despite its rather high price, but for this event Elena decided not to hold back on her spending's and her beauty. Elena knew she had the perfect jewelry to match it, which was a diamond necklace, which was passed down in her family with matching earrings and bracelet. Leaving the store in an incredibly good mood, Elena decided to take a stroll through the Jardin du Luxembourg. With her head raised high, to see the spectacular treetops, which were bouncing off the afternoon sun, Elena bumped into an unexpected passer-by.
"I think its fate; us meeting like this," Klaus whispered close to her ear. Elena pulled back only to find a smug smile stare back at her. Klaus was a nuisance because he was exactly the type of man she hated; too flirty, too sure of himself and too charming for his own good.
"I don't think that at all," Elena replied quietly and gave him a gentle smile, "We simply go to the same places as tourists in Paris," Klaus nodded in agreement to that, but then turned around, almost to see if anyone was listening.
"I could show you around, after all I've been here longer," Elena moved her head sideways back and forth, confirming her answer as No. There was a sudden silence between them, as Klaus simply looked at Elena. Finally he sighed and said; "I know that you are trying to play hard to get, but that simply will stop working after a while and then you'll be begging me to take you out. After all I don't see that you've made a lot of friends here and you will become lonely, but when that happens know that I will always be there to comfort you in any way I find agreeable at the time," Elena simply couldn't stand it anymore. Her patience had run out and she gathered all her strength and slapped him forcefully, leaving a clear red mark on his pale cheek. This was something she didn't regret because he had been asking for it since the day they had first spoken. Elena hoped that with this, she had finally shown him what she truly felt and that he would stop pestering her. Without another word, she continued her stroll, going back to her previously calm and peaceful state.
Elena finally put on her diamond necklace and was ready to go. She snuck out quietly and after a short wait, Damon picked her up in a taxi and they drove together to the opera. It was a cold night and far off into the distance you could begin to see lightening strips break up the dark purple skyline. After they entered the opera they removed their coats and Damon's heart began to beat more quickly once he saw how beautiful Elena looked. They were most certainly the most beautiful couple attending the performance tonight. Elena took Damon's arm as they walked the halls of the opera and found their seats. They were sitting down, but Damon still held on to Elena's hand. After a mere moment of silence, he leaned towards her and whispered in her ear You look absolutely dazzlingly beautiful and after a feathery kiss on her rosy cheek I love you. The lights began to dim and the orchestra began playing the music.
Note/ Hello, my dears! I'm back and full of romantic longings for those quiet and peaceful moments in the empty countryside, where the only sound is made by the buzzing bees and grasshoppers. I enjoyed writing this immensly and I hope you enjoyed reading it as well!
